48 VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF LAKELAND 



Local tradition affirms that another example of the same 

 species was washed up many years ago near Whitehaven. That 

 a large Whale was actually stranded in the neighbourhood there 

 can be no doubt, but its specific identity must remain doubtful. 



COMMON BEAKED WHALE. 



Hyperoodon rostratum (Chemnitz). 



In August 1887 an example of this Whale was washed ashore 

 in a decomposed state near Maryport. It was carefully examined 

 by the Eev. R. Burn and J. B. Baily, prior to being buried by 

 the coastguards. I believe that this animal has occurred a 

 good many times on our coast. Newspaper reports leave much 

 to be desired, but the following extract seems to suit the dimen- 

 sions of a large specimen of this Whale : — 



'On Thursday the 31st was caught at Cockin-in-Furness a 

 grampus, which was discovered by Mr. J. Clark of that place, 

 when he rode into the water and drove it on shore. It measured 

 8 yards and 2 feet in length ; its tail was 8 feet broad, its snout 

 or nose 2 feet long ; was thought to weigh about 4 tons, and 

 computed to yield 3 hhds. of oil. It was sold by Mr. Clark to 

 Mr. Butcher of Ulverston for four guineas.' 1 



' Dr. Gray also mentions one [under the synonym of H. lati- 

 frons] taken in Morecambe Bay, Lancashire.' 2 



Order CETA CEA . Fam. DELPHINIDJE. 



GRAMPUS. 



Orca gladiator (Lac£p.). 



Judging from the dimensions of the cetaceans that have been 

 stranded on the sandy shores of the north-west of England at 

 one time or another during the last seventy years, I should be 

 disposed to infer that the Grampus had occurred on our coast in 

 half-a-dozen instances. Some of the newspaper reports refer to 



1 Carlisle Journal, May 19, 1804. 



2 Bell, British Quadrupeds, p. 426. 



